Sometimes you have an earache, a feeling of something being filled in your ear, and a pus-like fluid starts to come out of your ear, right? Your doctor may have prescribed Ofloxacin ear drops, a liquid medicine that you put in your ear, for this kind of discomfort caused by a bacterial infection. So today, let's talk about what this medicine is, how exactly to use it, and what we need to be careful about when using it.
What kind of medicine is Ofloxacin?
Simply put, Ofloxacin is a type of antibiotic . To be precise, it belongs to the group of quinolone antibiotics. Its main function is to treat infections caused by bacteria inside the ear.
It is very important to note that this medicine only works for bacterial infections . It will not help with ear infections caused by a virus.
Sometimes doctors may prescribe this medicine for other conditions, so if you have any questions, talk to your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
It is very important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition before giving you Ofloxacin ear drops. Therefore, be sure to tell him/her the information below.
| Information you need to provide | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If you have allergies to Ofloxacin or other medicines, foods, or dyes. | This is essential to prevent you from having a severe allergic reaction. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Some medications can affect the baby in the womb, so it is important to inform the mother about this to ensure safety. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | This information is important to determine whether the ingredients in the medicine can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do you use these ear drops?
To get the full benefit of the medicine, you need to put it in the ear exactly. Okay, now let's see how to do this exactly. Follow these steps in order.
1. Wash your hands: First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean them.
2. Warm the bottle: Warm the medicine bottle by holding it in your hand for a minute or two. A sudden cold liquid in your ear can cause dizziness.
3. Clean the ear: If there is any liquid that is visible on the outside of the ear and can be easily removed, wipe it away with a clean cotton ball or piece of cloth. Never insert anything like an earbud into the ear.
4. Correct posture: Lie on your side with the infected ear facing up.
5. Apply the medicine: Without letting the top of the bottle (dropper) touch your ear, fingers, or anywhere else, apply the prescribed number of drops of medicine into your ear.
6. Instill the medicine: There are two methods here depending on where your ear infection is located.
- For ear canal infections: Pull your earlobe up and back. This will help the drops flow easily down the ear canal.
- For middle ear infections: After putting the medicine in your ear, squeeze the tragus (the cartilage part of the ear that is covered with skin) about four times. This will allow the medicine to enter through the hole or tube in the eardrum.
7. Wait a while: After applying the medicine, lie down in the same position for about 5 minutes . This will help the medicine stay in the ear without leaking out.
8. For the other ear: If you have an infection in both ears, apply the medicine to the other ear in the same way.
A mistake many people make is to stop taking the medicine once they feel a little better. Don't do that. Use the entire amount of medicine that the doctor has prescribed. Only then will the infection be completely cured.
If you use it for small children...
Doctors recommend this medicine for children over 6 months of age under certain circumstances. However, only the doctor can make the decision. Therefore, if you are using this for a child, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
What to do if you overdose or forget to take your medication?
If the dosage of the medicine is increased (Overdosage)
If you have any suspicion that you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
And remember, this medicine is for you only. Never give your medicine to others.
If you forget to take your medicine (Missed Dose)
If you forget to take your medicine, take that dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at the same time as you missed one.
Other things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
- Other medications: These ear drops usually do not cause problems with other medications. However, do not use any other ear drops at the same time without talking to your doctor. It is best to tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies).
- If it doesn't get better: If your ear infection doesn't get better after a few days of using medication, tell your doctor.
- If it recurs: Even after completing the course of medication, if fluid drains from the ear more than twice within 6 months, tell your doctor.
- Keep the ear clean and dry: When bathing, be careful not to let water get into the infected ear. Do not go swimming until your doctor gives you permission.
- Prevent the spread of infection: Avoid sharing your towels, pillowcases, and other items with others.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine?
Like any medication, this one can cause minor side effects in some people. Let's take a look at what they are and what to do if they occur.
| Side effect | What to do? |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. | Seek medical advice immediately . This may be a serious condition. |
| Brown, yellow, green, or white fluid draining from the ear. | Inform your doctor as soon as possible. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| A change in taste. | This usually goes away. If it persists, tell your doctor. |
| Dizziness. | This should subside in a short time. If it persists, inform your doctor. |
| Itching or pain in the ear after instillation of the medication. | This is usually temporary, but if it persists, tell your doctor. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor about them.
How to store the medicine?
- Always keep it out of the reach of small children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius).
- Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Ofloxacin is an antibiotic used to treat ear infections caused by bacteria. It does not work against viral infections.
- Use the medicine for the full number of days prescribed by the doctor. Do not stop taking it just because you feel a little better.
- Learn the correct way to put medicine in your ear. After putting the medicine in, turn to the side for about 5 minutes.
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking the medication.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as facial swelling, seek medical advice immediately.
- Keep your ears dry and clean while taking the medication.
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